posted 09-09-2004 04:43 AM               

Check it out at: www.zager.com

The "zager" in this is Denny Zager, who has a one-hit wonder called "In the Year 2525". he is also quite famous in this music production world for being such an awesome studio musician.

I just had new strings put on my 6-strings, and at pick-up yesterday, the local guy asked me idf I'd ever seen Zager's web site. I'd asked the local guy at drop-off what *he* would buy if his wife took up guitar. Strangely, the guiatr store where he works sells plenty $195-$500 beginning guitars, and he sells them there. He took me aside to say for a beginner, he found any of the guiatrs on the Zager site to be the best choice for beginner; he liked the Washburn D-10S and the Martin Sigma as his favs. The Washburn model was voted best guiatr under $500 (I read that here as well).

What attracts me about this, is everything there is soooo well tweaked for beginners. Several people have e-mail me that this site has awesome online lessons.

He also sells customized guitars, tweaked to smooth beginner's particular problems. He sells some customized Washburns, a few Martin's and a Martin he slaps a Zager label to make money.

On this site, he shows what changes he makes to these guitars.

Available also new on Bay at around $50 per guiatyr savings.

After you surf his site, please post your thoughts. Some changes he makes could be done by a local luthier, but sure seems appealing.

I especially like the Martin Sigma D-41, which I know is not made in America.

Thoughts on the Martin Sigma as a next step-up for a beginning 6-string guitar? (be sure to surf his site well for his neck adjustments)

posted 09-10-2004 07:11 AM               

But seriously, the on-line lessons are okay, but personally, I don't think learning songs is the same as learning guitar. For scratch beginners, it might not always be the best path to take in the long run.

As for instruments, also in the same price point (with HSC) is the LaSiDo Seagull and Carvin Cobalt lines. Both come from the manufacturer with very beginner friendly setups.

Hope this helps,

posted 09-10-2004 01:47 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Scarlettbama:
Some changes he makes could be done by a local luthier, but sure seems appealing.

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quote:

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Thoughts on the Martin Sigma as a next step-up for a beginning 6-string guitar?

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posted 09-10-2004 02:32 PM               

"Thanks for the freakin commercial. I think I'll go take a shower now."
_______________________________________

I find your post somewhat offensive, unless perhaps it was intended as a joke or a quip.

Got news for you.

I am Disabled 100% and live off $1000 a month GROSS dollars. How I spend my savings of $500 affects me GREATLY. I look to this forum as a terrific resource from other guiatr lovers at different skill levels.

Yours is the first post here that put a frown on my face.

I put extra information in the post about the Zager services ~ lessons, but more so customized guitars for beginners ~ so those you had never heard of this concept some information from which they could advise me.

I've learned alot from all of you here, and am amazinly appreciative of info you share to newbies like myself. Never am "I" here to sell or promote a thing. For a newbie as I am, I asked my ever-so-kind online friends here if this site was just a gimmick to avoid.

I truly all the genunine replies ~ again, you guys amaze me with how helpful you are. Has really helped me as I ponder (and save $ for) my next upgrade guitar.

If my original post offends you, t58Martin, so be it. You are the first here to offend me, so I'll let it slide.

Scarlett

posted 09-10-2004 03:27 PM               

Many thanks for your kind post. Your explanation of Zager's marketing is the first I've heard, but makes total sense. It sounded somewhat gimmicky, which is why I questioned it to others here in hopes of finding out the real deal.

I was suggested the guitar as a spinal cord rehab home exercise for my right hand, but guitar has ling since on my wish list of this to learn.

Think I first thought of learning guitar was from watching John Denver. There; I ahve ahged myself, and probably made a fool of me at same time! (LOL)

For my situation, time of year, etc. I chose the perfect time to catch the "bug".

Guitar is now a permanent hobby, and I am really excited it with it.

posted 09-10-2004 05:39 PM            

As mentioned, his guitar/set up is nothing special. You can get them for a bit less many different places. As for his "on line" lessons, I recommend you spend your time and money on other resources such as the great instructional book/CD put out by Mark Hanson for fingerstyle guitar playing, ("The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking" being the place to start if you are playing fingerstyle, offerings by Mel Bay, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and many many more based on what folks recommend)and on instructional videos/DVD's from places like Stefan Grossman's. No hard cores sales. No over the top claims. Great well thought out material. http://www.guitarvideos.com/
http://www.accentonmusic.com/book_detail.asp?qID=5

posted 09-13-2004 07:23 AM               

If you were being sincere, I apologize.
Your post read a bit 'slick'. It directed our attention to a site which is intended to
draw in paying subscribers. I have been reading these posts for more than several years. I don't always mind being sold to. I have in fact bought several products that I first learned of here. I tend to appreciate a pitch that is overt. I have re-read your post a couple of times, Zager should pay you a percentage. I don't have an axe to grind with Zager either, it's not like he's selling a DDT based pesticide. What I do hate is being manipulated.

Regarding a beginners guitar; Getting the action just right on any guitar makes a big difference. The 'out the box' set up on many guitars, low end or expensive can be terrible, making them difficult to play.
Talk to a local shop and tell them what type of music you'd like to learn. If it's fingerstyle you're into, perhaps a wider neck and string spacing combined with lower action would help with the fingering. If you're into strumming mostly than a narrower neck and more string relief might be desired, etc, etc. There are many, many low price guitars that are excellant sounding. Getting them tweaked isn't expensive. It's kinda like buying a cheaper suit and getting a good tailor. Any local shop that's worth it's salt can help.

With respect to music lessons; There are hundreds of books and videos out there for every possible style to choose from.
There are also a ton of free resources as well. The lessons on this web site are quite good. There is another web site you may enjoy as well, wwww.guitarnoise.com. It has a ton of begginer and intermediate songs, many with MP3 files to go with them.

Regards,

posted 09-13-2004 07:37 AM               

Denny Zager and his son Dennis are good people - I know them personally, and in fact own one of their modified Washburn's (D10S). Their modification of guitars is nothing short of fabulous. Could you get the same service from a local luthier - maybe, but doubtful, as such services would likely cost you alot more (he does a total remodification, from strut rod to fret reshaping, to nut and saddle adjustment. They also stand behind the product and give a 100% money back guarantee - You've got 30 days to determine whether you like the product. If you don't, you can return it for a full refund.

Matter of fact, the Washburn they modified is a close second only to my Taylor 314ces, which cost almost 5 times as much.

He is not a shameless self-promoter. He is an excellent guitar player/teacher, and his guitars are awesome.

Email if you would like to discuss further.

posted 09-13-2004 10:04 AM               

The reason why he reshapes some (maybe all - depending upon the guitar) is that to get the lowest action possible on an inexpensive guitar, you need to since the there are variation in the neck on cheaper guitars (even on more expensive guitars). His action is the lowest, and unless you've played one of his guitars, I don't think you can comment on them.